Transient non-susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni associated with atrial amoebocytic accumulations in the snail host Biomphalaria glabrata.

In some Biomphalaria glabrata-Schistosoma mansoni combinations snails are susceptible to infection as juveniles, but have variable susceptibility as adults. These snails become non-susceptible at the onset of egg-laying and typically revert to susceptibility in old age. Certain stocks of B. glabrata have the capacity to form amoebocytic accumulations in the atrium, and this ability is under genetic control. The atrial amoebocytic accumulations are transitory, typically appearing at onset of egg-laying and disappearing after a few months. A snail stock which has genetic tendencies for both adult variable susceptibility and atrial amoebocytic accumulations was studied. An association between the time of occurrence of adult non-susceptibility and atrial accumulation is revealed as snails never became infected with S. mansoni when amoebocytic accumulations were present. Developing parasites, however, were not necessarily encapsulated and destroyed by amoebocytes. Some sporocysts were able to delay development until the amoebocytic accumulations disappeared. The timing of atrial amoebocytic accumulations and resulting transient non-susceptibility in this host-parasite combination could influence snail population dynamics.